CUYAHOGA COUNTY – The Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) is preparing to launch an innovative Community Paramedicine Pilot Project in partnership with the city of Olmsted Falls. The pilot project is the result of an ongoing collaborative relationship between DSAS, the city of Olmsted Falls and other senior centers across the county. Made possible by a $50,000 Senior Center Innovation Grant, this pilot will fund a combination of in-home medical services and programming at the Olmsted Falls Senior Center. The goals are to help seniors by:

reducing risk,

enhancing safety,

increasing compliance with medical treatment,

reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations,

supporting seniors as they successfully age in place, and

reducing health care costs.

This project is designed for seniors with chronic health care issues who have a difficult time getting back and forth to their doctor’s office, and often rely on calling 911 for assistance. Paramedics and 9-1-1 operators will be trained to connect seniors with chronic disease management, preventive care, and post-discharge follow up. Partners will also use digital technology to implement remote patient monitoring and electronic medical records in order to provide mobile healthcare outside of a hospital environment.

“The Paramedicine model offers a big economic savings to the community because we are addressing a medical crisis in an older person’s home rather than in an expensive medical setting,” said Dr. Richard Jones, Director of the Division of Senior and Adult Services.

“Getting the help you need shouldn’t cost your life’s savings. With this innovative program we can expand access to medical care and make services more affordable for everyone,” said Olmsted Falls Mayor Ann Marie Donegan. “Community paramedicine is a resource available to help healthcare providers such as hospitals and home healthcare agencies provide first-line services for a patient's health, welfare and safety at the home. It's important to Olmsted Falls because we care about people. We're not only providing fire, police and service, but also a stop-gap measure."

Patients will be referred to the program from Southwest General Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, and Olmsted Falls Fire Department. Members of the city’s Jenkins Place Senior Center will self-refer.